Northland a hot spot for those on Rich List | Northland News | Local News in Northland

The latest Rich List shows several of the wealthiest people in New Zealand own sizeable chunks of Northland.

We're talking the seriously loaded here - the qualifier to get on the National Business Review Rich List is $50 million.

The region's richest son is Kaitaia-born property developer Peter Cooper, although his wealth has dropped from last year's hefty $650 million to this year's $600 million, from 10th to 11th.

The former director of Lion Nathan owns substantial property and business holdings in the Bay of Islands but has hotels, apartments and up to 200 other businesses, including a 6.5ha slab of Auckland's Britomart site and US malls.

Northland still lays claim to Sir Michael Hill, jeweller. Whangarei born and raised, Sir Michael sits at 27th on the list with $245 million.

Another lister with Northland links is Auckland manufacturer and moneymaker Andrew Smith, formerly of family business Smith and Smith and later a partner in Metropolitan Glassware, which he sold in 2006. Mr Smith's former business partner in Metropolitan Glassware, John Bedogni who squeaks onto the Rich List with $50 million at 57th equal, has substantial property interests at Waipiro and Matapouri Bays.

Glen Inger made his mark as a Warehouse shareholder and property developer. His landbanks include 39 farms and properties in Wellsford, Whangarei, Kaipara and Langs Beach. His $95 million puts him at 47th equal.

Richard Izard is well known in Northland for his Wellsford sawblade manufacturing business. Now racking up the dollars with a luxury air-charter business, his worth of $70 million - up from $65 milion last year - takes him to 53rd equal.

Terry Jarvis made his fortune as co-founder of Sky TV. His company King Avocado owns an avocado orchard at Ninety Mile Beach and Far North forestry.

Chemist Ken Millar ($50 million) made his money with cosmetics and equity markets and owns a retreat at Helena Bay.

There are others on the list who are paying rates in Northland.

But here's a thought for everyone who's feeling the pinch - the combined wealth of New Zealand's Rich Listers is $45.2 billion, well up on last year's $38.2 billion.